CA mulls introducing permit fee on TradeNet

Communications Authority of Kenya director general David Mugonyi /CA

Traders may soon incur extra costs when applying for ICT-related import permits following a proposal by the Communications Authority of Kenya to introduce a new processing charge on the Kenya TradeNet system.

The authority says the move targets permits handled through the National Electronic Single Window System (NESWS), a platform widely used to facilitate cross-border trade documentation.

In a public notice, the regulator signalled its intention to formalise the fee structure tied to permit applications submitted digitally.

“The authority hereby notifies all stakeholders … of its intention to introduce a Permit Processing Fee for permits processed through the KenTrade National Electronic Single Window System,” the notice by CA director general David Mugonyi reads.

It sets the stage for what could reshape compliance costs for importers of ICT equipment.

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) oversees telecommunications, e-commerce, cybersecurity and broadcasting and plays a central role in vetting ICT imports into the country.

Its mandate involves evaluating permit applications lodged through TradeNet to ensure all imported equipment meet regulatory and technical standards before entry into the Kenyan market.

“The evaluation process consists of three stages: checking, verification and inspection, to ensure all ICT equipment imported into the country complies with applicable technical and regulatory requirements,” the authority stated.

The proposal underscores the procedural depth behind approvals that traders must secure through the National Electronic Single Window System (NESWS), commonly known as Kenya TradeNet.

The platform is a centralised digital gateway that allows traders to submit import, export and transit documentation at a single point, eliminating the need to physically present paperwork to multiple agencies.

Administered by KenTrade, the system integrates government agencies, regulators and logistics players into one interface.

This integration enables paperless processing, significantly reducing turnaround times for cargo clearance while lowering administrative overheads.

It also supports faster approvals through automated workflows, consolidated payments across agencies, and built-in risk management tools that help flag non-compliant shipments early.

For traders, the system has long been viewed as a critical efficiency tool in navigating Kenya’s import and export procedures.

However, the proposed permit-processing fee could introduce a new cost layer to this otherwise streamlined system.

Details of the fee structure have not been published within the notice but the authority indicated that they are available in a consultation paper hosted on its website.

“The authority hereby invites members of the public, customs clearing agents, licensees and ICT sector stakeholders to submit written representations on the proposed fee on or before April 30, 2026,” the notice states, opening the door for industry input before any final decision is made.

Stakeholders wishing to weigh in on the proposal have been directed to submit their views in writing via email to [email protected] within the stipulated timeline.

The consultation process is expected to inform whether the fee is adopted, revised or shelved altogether depending on feedback from traders, agents and the broader ICT ecosystem.

The proposal comes at a time when digital trade facilitation systems such as TradeNet have become central to easing business operations, even as regulators seek sustainable ways to fund oversight and compliance functions tied to increasingly complex import regimes.